Storage structure comprising movable racks

Abstract

A storage structure comprises several storage racks the majority of which are movable between two end positions in order to form a passageway between two adjacent storage racks. An elongate locking device, for example a safety chain, is arranged between each pair of adjacent storage racks, one end of which is secured to one storage rack. The other end of the locking device is in the form of a contact member, which for starting a process of movement coacts with a stationary contact member in said storage rack. The contact member of the locking device is also connectable to the adjacent storage rack for mechanically locking the passageway which can be formed between the storage racks.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a storage structure comprising several aligned storage racks, the majority of which are movable between two end positions in order to form a passageway between two adjacent storage racks, an elongate locking means arranged between each pair of adjacent storage racks, and an activating member for starting the process of movement arranged on each storage rack, the improvement wherein one end of the elongate locking means is secured to one of a pair of storage racks and the other end thereof is connected to the activating member, said activating member comprising a movable contact member selectively connectable to a stationary contact member on said one of a pair of storage racks for starting process of movement and to the adjacent storage rach for mechanical locking of the passageway formed between the storage racks. 
     
     
       2. The storage structure according to claim 1, wherein each movable storage rack comprises an electric motor which is reversible for right-hand and left-hand movement, respectively, said motor being connected to an electric power source via a feeding conductor common to all storage racks, said motor being coupled in series with a first contact operated by a safety relay which is included in a safety circuit together with the movable contact members, the first contact being closed only when one of the movable contact members has been moved into contact with the stationary contact means at the same time the other movable contact members are connected to the respective adjacent storage racks. 
     
     
       3. The Storage structure according to claim 2, wherein the movable contact member connected to the elongate locking means is comprised of two contacts bridged by a high-ohmic resistor connected in the safety circuit by a high-ohmic relay connected to the power source in series with two contacts in the respective stationary contact member, the movable contact member being connectable to a short-circuiting clamp disposed at the adjacent storage rack. 
     
     
       4. The storage structure according to claim 3, wherein a short-circuiting circuit including a contact controlled by the high-ohmic relay is coupled in parallel with the high-ohmic resistor. 
     
     
       5. The storage structure according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the feeding conductor is common to all the motors, and is coupled in series with an additional contact controlled by a further relay disposed in a stationary storage rack and connected to all storage racks, the further relay being connected to the power source via a circuit including contacts coupled in parallel and corresponding in number to the number of storage racks, each of said last mentioned contacts being controlled by the high-ohmic relay in the relevant storage rack. 
     
     
       6. The storage structure according to claim 5, wherein the storage racks are provided with control relays of which the control relay in the stationary storage rack controls a contact arranged in the feed circuit for the further relay, and the control relay in each of the movable storage racks controls a series contact coupled in the feed circuit for the further relay between said parallel coupled contacts, the series contacts being located between the relevant storage rack and the adjacent storage rack as seen in the direction toward the stationary storage rack. 
     
     
       7. The storage structure according to claim 6, wherein the control relay in the movable storage racks controls the direction of movement of the respective motor in such a manner that when the control relay is activated the motor is connected for movement of the storage rack in the direction toward the stationary storage rack. 
     
     
       8. The storage structure according to claim 6 wherein the further relay has a contact connected in the feed circuit for the safety relay and is coupled in parallel with a contact controlled by the safety relay, the two contacts being controlled in such a manner that activation of the further relay disconnects the relevant contact whereas activation of the safety relay connects the relevant contact. 
     
     
       9. The storage structure according to claim 8, wherein a current-sensing relay is included in the feed circuit for the high-ohmic relays and is designed in such a manner that when one of the high-ohmic relays is activated the supply of current to the structure is maintained whereas when two or several of the high-ohmic relays are activated simultaneously the supply of current is discontinued. 
     
     
       10. The storage structure according to claim 9, wherein the high-ohmic relays are connectable in parallel with the power source, the current-sensing relay being coupled in series with the high-ohmic relays and which control a contact placed in the feed circuit for the further relay. 
     
     
       11. The storage structure according to claim 1 wherein said elongate locking means comprises a safety chain.